Isn't atheism rather depressing?

Question

I find the concept of atheism rather depressing, just look at the following athestic beliefs.

I only exist because of random chance, and when I die, I will cease to exist.
There no real distinction between us and any other animal other than being a bit smarter than the rest.
There is no reason or meaning to the universe, it just happened.

I am a Christian, I don't think that atheism would make me any happier, contented or fulfilled. I've read several atheistic books and not been convinced by the arguments against God.

I'm not expecting atheists to be miserable.

I'm more interested in what atheism claims to offer in the way of hope or purpose.

Rather an odd version of the Christian definition of free will. Here's my understanding of free will

God can do everything and anything according to the Christian faith. That means he can see ALL possible futures, he chooses to let humans make their owns decisions.

In a religion, the believer limits their free will to follow God's laws and thus avoid hell, much like you follow the laws of your country to avoid being arrested.

Answer 1

I don't think that atheism is depressing.

I know that I have a finite amount of time in which to do the best I can, for me, my wife, my family, my friends and anyone else who happens upon me during my life.

I take great personal satisfaction in knowing that my actions can have positive effects on those around me - and that I've chosen not to make anyone's life worse. I don't need any religion to tell me that what I've done during my life is good, or worthy.

Answer 2

Depression, is caused by doubt or worry.
In some cases these doubts and worries can be overcome by the use of drugs.
Religion is merely a drug! We all feel depressed from time to time even atheists ,but atheists have a bit less to worry about, we don't need to search for the 'true' religion, we know they are all BS.
You don't really need to be 'convinced' by the arguments against God , and there is nothing at all that could ever convince me that there is a God.
Because I am an atheist it doesn't mean that I believe in the theory of evolution, because that is after all a' theory'! But lets face it compare that with Adam and Eve, or whatever your religion tells you happened in the beginning.
Atheism is not about depression it is simply a matter of not believing in God.
Perhaps contrary to popular belief most atheists don't bother too much about any individuals that do believe in God, but I for one really object to all the different religions which have you all at each others throats, why do you need any religion ? Why do you need so many leaders and teachers, all in conflict over a fairy tale. That does make me depressed!

Answer 3

That is the difference between Atheists and the Religious. I do not worry about why I am here, I just am and I will have a damn good time while I am here, so therefore it is not depressing.

You need to go with what makes you feel good - If you need the support of a Religion, fine, carry on - your choice, as not having a belief in any supreme being is mine. I have better things to do than wait for the day I die to see if there is a shining light or whatever - If there is a God waiting up there to judge me on my life, I have done nothing I am ashamed of in my life, so I'll take my chances.

I am not convinced by the arguments for God, so isn't religion rather depressing? The most important day for you is the day you die and meet your maker - nice.....I would prefer the day my kid was born

Answer 4

I don't think Atheists are miserable, per se. IThere's a quote I like from the movie Troy, where Achilles says "the gods envy us because we are mortal." In immortality, everything can be taken for granted. But when you know that some day you will die, and that will be it, you tend to appreciate each day that you have a little more. On the flip side...Christians don't want to die, and live in fear of it, while talking about how much better the afterlife will be. This life, which God has given them (according to their and my beliefs), tends to slip on by them. Sure, they may find some enjoyment, but it pales in comparison with what they believe is to come.

So no, I don't think Atheism is depressing. Granted, I'm not an atheist, but rather a Christian, but that's the way I see it.

Answer 5

No, I became a much happier person once I stepped into the light of Atheism.

To smash each of your points:

1) I live life everyday. I don't wait for a supposed afterlife for my "reward". I am rewarded everyday.

2) There is a huge distinction between humans (well Atheists at least) and other animals. We have the capability to adjust out environment to our will. We rerouted rivers for irrigation, We mine the earth for resources to build great cities, and of course hunt animals for food.

3) Why does there have to be "meaning" That is more new-age crap.

Of course, you are not convinced by atheist books, you had an agenda before reading the books. The major difference though is that we know exactly who wrote The god delusion or Letters from a Christian Nation.

Yet, you believe the New Testament. However, we do not know who wrote any of the books of the bible. The 4 gospels were written anywhere from 30 - 70 years after the events happened by people who were NOT eyewitnesses and who spoke a completely different language from the people living in Jerusalem in the 1st century.

It's no wonder you're depressed.

Answer 6

To answer your points and to point out why I can't have your strong faith all in one go:


'I only exist because of random chance, and when I die, I will cease to exist.'
A bit arrogant to presume you're going anywhere isn't it? I'm not scared of dying and it being the end. I believe in spending this life doing what's best and not squandering it worrying about putting a foot wrong incase of the next one. And if there is a God why would he want that too?

'There no real distinction between us and any other animal other than being a bit smarter than the rest.'
Why should there be any distinction? God wants us to live blameless and yet fruitful lives. I think animals have that covered far better than us. I'm not so arrogant to think I'm better than any of God's other creatures. We aren't supposed to are we?


'There is no reason or meaning to the universe, it just happened.'
Apart from science has proved how the Earth got here. And why should there be any more meaning to life? Because you can't accept your own mortality.? Or if there is a God you have to believe you're worth more than others to Him because you follow rules and regulations of an organized religion decided by other men?

And so to conclude, I can't believe in your views of our short lives because it's full of contradictions and doesn't even make sense - God or no God.

Answer 7

I'm not an atheist, but I would like to offer you this:

I saw this cable special recently on religion and spirituality, and there was this spokesperson for atheists. What she said - and I paraphrase - is that because they don't believe in an "afterlife," their focus on present life may be a bit stronger than believers, many of whom tend to be inhibited about their pleasures. In other words, if THIS is the only "life" we have, then we'd better enjoy it.

If that philosophy is accurate regarding atheism, then I don't see what's so "depressing" about it.

You're a Christian. Be content and at peace within your own belief system, and don't worry about the atheists.

Answer 8

On the contary, being an atheist means that you make the best of what you have now, rather than pin hopes on things being better in an afterlife. If your life is so crap that you have to hope for death and an afterlife then I feel sorry for you.

Reason and meaning is what we make it. Destiny is ours.

The alternative is belief in a supernatural being that created us, supposedly loves us, but lets us die of disease, war, poverty or murder.

Oh yes, the christian belief that we have all this free will and suffering because of the 'original sin' of Adam and Eve nicking an apple from a tree.

If diseases such as AIDS, famine and poverty is god's revenge on us for two people taking an apple that they shouldn't have hundreds of thousands of years ago, then I can't understand why anyone would worship such a being.

Get over it God, go make another planet or something; boy you hold a grudge!

Answer 9

i'm not sure of atheism as an actual set of beliefs, my understanding of it was that there were no beliefs at all but i don't know as i have never read up on it.
but what you've written applies to me i think and i am a happy and optimistic person.
the random chance and being an animal thing, for me they're interlinked. i think an inflated sense of ego is an awful thing. by believing in randomness and being an animal i acknowledge that i am no better and no worse than everything else on this planet. therefore i know i am capable of anything but know that i am no more deserving of anything than anybody else. i respect everyone and expect people to respect me. and i feel so lucky for having been randomly born into the family that i'm in and for being given the opportunity to meet the people i have.
as far as death is concerned, it does scare me. but it scares me into getting stuff done. i feel i only have one life so i have to really get the most out of it.
i don't think what i've written is depressing :)

Answer 10

I'm afraid you clearly don't know the first thing about atheists. For a start you list out beliefs... Atheism has no beliefs. The definition of an atheist is someone who does not believe in gods. That's all there is to it.

Answer 11

Free will is not depressing.

The christian God can do everything and anything according to the christian faith. That means he can see the future. If a being can see the future then nothing has free will; they have to follow a set of actions for that future seen to be fulfilled which it has to be overwise it would not be the future. If you are a christian you cannot believe you have free will. I think this is probably true for Jews and Muslims aswell although i do not know too much about their religious beliefs and books.

A lack of free will would depress me. I like to choose my own actions.